US Muslims to Celebrate Eid with Communal Prayers Sunday

IQNA – Muslims across the US will celebrate Eid al-Adha (festival of the sacrifice), which marks the end of the yearly pilgrimage to Mecca, called Hajj, with communal prayers Sunday.

Eid al Adha, commonly referred to as just “Eid,” commemorates Prophet Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael at God’s command. The holiday is celebrated with prayers, small gifts for children, distribution of meat to the needy, and social gatherings.

During this holiday, Muslims exchange the greeting “Eid Mubarak” or “blessed Eid.”

The Eid prayers and festivals are held either in local mosques or in public facilities designed to accommodate large gatherings.

Each year at Eid al Adha, American Muslim families attend prayers and celebrations. Many places of prayer organize children’s activities. The prayers themselves are quite visual, with worshipers arranged in neat rows and bowing in prayer in unison. Participants exchange embraces at the conclusion of the prayers.

Source: Cair.com